Declining since 2013, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Zak since 1965
Babies named Zak per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2004, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zak's real moment was 2013.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 139 |
| 1980s | 181 |
| 1990s | 289 |
| 2000s | 411 |
| 2010s | 407 |
| 2020s | 147 |
Meaning & origin
Zak is a concise and modern short form of Zachary or Zachariah, names with deep biblical roots meaning 'God remembers'. Though it first appeared in U.S. records in 1965, it peaked in popularity in 2013 before beginning a gradual decline. As of 2025, it ranked 6,803rd, with approximately 1 in 142,340 boys receiving the name. Zak's straightforward spelling and strong sound appeal to parents seeking a familiar yet less common alternative to the longer forms. Without strong ties to any particular state, Zak remains a versatile choice across the country.
Zak is a short form of Zachary or Zachariah, which come from the Hebrew name Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה) meaning 'God remembers' or 'Yahweh remembers'. It has been used as an independent given name since at least the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. The Arabic cognate Zakariyya (زَكَرِيَّا) shares the same meaning and is used across the Muslim world.
“Zak” around the world
Where Zak lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Zac
Sibling names for Zak
Names that share Zak's style, for a brother or sister.
